CVE-2026-72987

Analyzed Analyzed - Analysis Complete

Use After Free in Windows DNS Server Allows Remote Code Execution

Publication date: 2026-09-08

Last updated on: 2026-09-24

Assigner: Microsoft Corporation

Description

Use after free in Windows DNS allows an unauthorized attacker to execute code over a network.

CVSS Scores

EPSS Scores

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Meta Information

Published

2026-09-08

Last Modified

2026-09-24

Generated

2026-09-29

AI Q&A

2026-09-09

EPSS Evaluated

2026-09-27

NVD

CVE-2026-72987

Affected Vendors & Products

Vendor	Product	Version / Range
microsoft	windows_dns	*

Helpful Resources

Exploitability

CWE

KEV

CWE ID	Description
CWE-416	The product reuses or references memory after it has been freed. At some point afterward, the memory may be allocated again and saved in another pointer, while the original pointer references a location somewhere within the new allocation. Any operations using the original pointer are no longer valid because the memory "belongs" to the code that operates on the new pointer.

Attack-Flow Graph

Executive Summary

This is a use-after-free vulnerability in Windows DNS that allows an unauthorized attacker to execute arbitrary code remotely over a network. It occurs when a program continues to use memory after it has been freed, potentially leading to memory corruption.

Impact Analysis

An attacker could exploit this to run malicious code on your system, potentially gaining control of your device. This could lead to data theft, installation of malware, or disruption of services if the DNS service is compromised.

Compliance Impact

This vulnerability could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data, violating GDPR and HIPAA requirements for data protection and confidentiality. Organizations may face compliance penalties if exploited.

Mitigation Strategies

Apply the latest security update from Microsoft for Windows DNS to patch the use-after-free vulnerability. Monitor Microsoft's update guide for the patch release and ensure all DNS servers are updated promptly.

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